The Philadelphia 76ers don’t necessarily need to improve the small forward position, but if they did there’s at least three players they should target.
The small forward position is one of the strongest depth charts on the Philadelphia 76ers roster. Still at the NBA trade deadline, it wouldn’t hurt to look on how they could improve the depth there heading into the postseason.
Tobias Harris really deserves a lot of credit for being able to adjust to playing the small forward position. Despite power forward being his more natural position, he’s done a solid job transitioning to this new role.
Furkan Korkmaz had been splitting time as a reserve with James Ennis this season, but it’s become clear as a late that Korkmaz has become the primary reserve there. It was surprising that the team re-signed him this past summer, but it’s even more surprising that he’s been such a good floor spacer for them. It seems unlikely he’d be moved at the trade deadline.
Ennis has been a streaky shooter all season long and while he’s a good defender and rebounder, his inconsistency on offense has hurt the team at times. That alone has probably been the main reason while he’s fallen on the depth chart.
Last year, when I wrote about potential trade targets at small forward for the Sixers, they didn’t have very many option, but now they do. While it’s unnecessary to upgrade the position, there’s still no harm in evaluating options.
*On a side note, Robert Covington won’t be included as there has already been a trade scenario proposed before here at The Sixer Sense.
Glenn Robinson III
It seems so long ago, but during “The Process” Glenn Robinson III actually played part of his first NBA season with the Philadelphia 76ers. It was forgettable as he only averaged 4.4 points and 2.5 rebounds, while making 30.2 percent of his 3-pointers with Philly.
Since his 10 game stint with the Sixers back in 2014-15 season, Robinson has developed into a solid 3-and-D player. Currently, he’s having a career year on the struggling Golden State Warriors. He’s averaging 12.7 points and 4.7 rebounds, while making 39.8 percent of his 3.5 3-point attempts.
Robinson has been connected to the 76ers in trade rumors, according to Kevin O’Connor of The Ringer. The wing would add more 3-point shooting to a Sixers team that is in desperate need it. Acquiring him from the retooling Warriors shouldn’t be too hard. Below is one possible trade that could bring Robinson back to the Philly.
The Warriors get a veteran center to play along with young group of big men in Kyle O’Quinn. On top of that, they get a future second round pick, via the Denver Nuggets. O’Quinn could be an ideal big to pair with Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson if they return this season or they re-sign him for next year. He can pass, rebound and set solid screens, while also hitting the occasional 3-pointer.
Harrison Barnes
Technically, Harrison Barnes plays both forward positions, but for the purposes of this article he will be categorized as a small forward. With that being said, he’s a rather interesting potential trade target for the Philadelphia 76ers.
Barnes started out on the Golden State Warriors and won a championship with them. He’s also been on the Dallas Mavericks and is currently on the Sacramento Kings. Sometimes it feels like he’s been putting up empty calorie stats, which means he’s been scoring a lot on bad teams.
Still, there’s no denying he has legit skills. This season, he’s averaging 14.7 points, 4.8 rebounds and 2.1 assists, while shooting 44.9 percent from the floor and 34.3 percent from deep. He’s a career 37.1 percent 3-point shooter. He’s a legit two-way player that could help a contender get over the top.
Getting him to the Sixers would mean that Philly would break up their core as he’s making $24.1 million this season. However, it might be worth it as the Sixers appear to be stuck in the middle of the Eastern Conference. Below is a hypothetical deal that might land Barnes in Philly.
This isn’t the first time that I’ve suggested the 76ers should trade Al Horford to the Kings. They liked him this past summer and would be an answer for them in the middle. Despite that, it would still take a first round pick.
The 2020 first round pick, via the Oklahoma City Thunder is top-20 protected (per RealGM) and based on current standings, that pick would be the 17th pick in the draft. That would mean the pick would become two future second round picks in 2022 and 2023.
Sacramento and Philly would need to make additional trade to balance out their respective roster, but essential swapping Horford for Barnes might be the best bet for both clubs. The Kings and Sixers aren’t were they were projected to be, so switching things up could help improve both of their fortunes.
Andre Iguodala
Like Robinson, Andre Iguodala (aka Iggy) is a former member of the Sixers that has been connected to the franchise in trade rumors, per O’Connor. However unlike Robinson, Iguodala has a much richer history with the 76ers.
He was a first round pick of the club and quickly become a key member of the franchise. He was named to the All-Star team and his first All-NBA defensive team while playing in Philly. During his career with the Sixers, he averaged 15.3 points, 5.8 rebounds, 4.7 assists and 1.7 steals.
Iggy has since played for the Nuggets and the Warriors. He won a championship and NBA Finals MVP while a member of the Warriors. He’s currently stuck on the Memphis Grizzlies roster and not playing. The Grizzlies won’t just waive him either, as they are determined to trade him.
Having Iggy come back to Philly to potentially finish his career would be nice. He’s experience an decline in his play, but he’s still one of the better defenders and playmakers at his position. Having him come off the bench for a title run would nice. With that in mind, here is a potential trade that could bring Iggy back to the 76ers.
It’s a very big deal as it involves three teams, but it makes sense for each club. Philly gets Iggy, Ivica Zubac and Landry Shamet. Zubac would become a good insurance for Joel Embiid in Horford’s place. He’s a high end reserve and a plug-in starter. He’s averaging 17.1 minutes, 8.0 points, 7.1 rebounds and 1.0 as the Los Angeles Clippers starting center.
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Before the trade last season that landed the Sixers Harris, Shamet was on the road to becoming the heir apparent to J.J. Redick. He could move in similar fashion to the veteran sharpshooter and was showing that he could be a high volume 3-point shooter. He also has some playmaking skills on top of that. Shamet would fix a lot of the 76ers spacing issues.
The Clippers get a legit big man that can guard the likes of an Anthony Davis in a playoff series. With Horford’s 3-point shooting and passing ability, he’d be an ideal fit next to Lou Williams, Kawhi Leonard and Paul George.
Adding a top-20 protected first round pick in 2022 should be fair compensation for losing Shamet. Even it doesn’t convert, it would turn into two second round picks in 2023 and 2024. Throwing in Raul Neto adds a veteran point guard that helps replenish their depth and balance out the trade. It’s a tough sell for the Clippers, but getting Horford, Neto and future draft compensation should get this hypothtical deal done.
The Grizzlies get two players in Maurice Harkless and Rodney McGruder who can contribute this season. Both are solid defenders that can hit 3-point shots. McGruder can grow with their core as he’s on a three-year deal. Getting a second round pick on top of that should be more than enough to get Memphis interested in doing this potential deal.
The Philadelphia 76ers don’t need to make moves to improve the small forward spot, but if they do, it could end up being some pretty major roster changes as a result.